Yield: 1 cake; serves 10 to 12 | Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cook Time: 35 minutes plus 10 minutes cooling time
Carrot cake really started gaining steam in the United States after World War II, but it wasn’t until the late ’60s that carrot cake and cream cheese frosting became an inseparable combination. You can choose to frost it for dessert or serve without for breakfast or an afternoon snack; this moist cake will be a treat either way.
INGREDIENTS
Butter, for greasing the pans
2½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
1½ teaspoons baking soda
1¼ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups grated carrots
¾ cup chopped pecans
1 (8-ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
1–2 (16-ounce) tubs cream cheese frosting
DIRECTIONS
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line the bottoms of three 8-inch or two 9-inch round cake pans with waxed or parchment paper. Grease the pans with butter and dust with flour.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt with a whisk for 30 seconds. Set aside.
- In another large bowl, combine the sugar, eggs, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Using a hand mixer, mix for 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed until well blended and light colored.
- With a spoon, stir in the flour mixture until moistened, then add the carrots, pecans, pineapple, and coconut. Pour into the cake pans.
- Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cake layers cool in the pans on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then turn them out of the pans. Let cool completely before frosting. You can use orange frosting and parsley to make carrot decorations, if desired. Cut into slices and serve.